barbaric

bar·bar·ic

adjective \bär-ˈber-ik, -ˈba-rik\

Definition of BARBARIC

1

a : of, relating to, or characteristic of barbarians

b : possessing or characteristic of a cultural level more complex than primitive savagery but less sophisticated than advanced civilization

2

a : marked by a lack of restraint : wild

b : having a bizarre, primitive, or unsophisticated quality

3

: barbarous 3

— bar·bar·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of BARBARIC

1. Barbaric tribes invaded the area.
2. His table manners are barbaric.
3. They considered the custom barbaric.
4. The treatment of the prisoners was positively barbaric.

First Known Use of BARBARIC

15th century

Related to BARBARIC

Synonyms

atrocious, cruel, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, fiendish, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton

Antonyms

benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted

Related Words

hard-hearted, ironhearted, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, stonyhearted, unfeeling; fell, ferocious, grim; bloodthirsty, cutthroat, murderous, sanguinary, sanguine; catty, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vindictive; draconian, draconic, hardhanded, harsh, heavy-handed, oppressive

Near Antonyms

tender, warm, warmhearted; charitable, clement, lenient, merciful, pitying; pacific, peaceable, peaceful

Rhymes with BARBARIC

Amharic, Megaric, Pindaric